If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Mendenhall back in the swing of things

When Super Bowl XLIII ended and the 2008 season was put to rest in grand style for the Steelers, the 2009 season officially began for Rashard Mendenhall.

A mere spectator on the sidelines not just during the Super Bowl but for most of the season after suffering a season-ending broken shoulder against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in September, Mendenhall is happy to have a fresh start.

“As soon as the Super Bowl ended it was a relief,” said Mendenhall. “It was great to win and get the ring and celebrate, but then I was back on the same plane as my teammates, no longer on injured reserve. When the Super Bowl ended, my season started. I am trying to do everything I can to get ready. I am looking forward to next year.”

Mendenhall was back in Pittsburgh a short time after the game, working out at the team’s indoor facility on a regular basis, running, catching passes and improving his footwork. When the voluntary workouts began two weeks ago, he already had plenty of work in.

His shoulder is healed. He is feeling great. He used his rookie season to adjust not just to football, but to what comes with being an NFL player away from the game. With that behind him, he is ready for one thing – to focus on football.

“I am comfortable and ready to get started,” said Mendenhall. “I feel a lot more comfortable with all of the outside stuff. As far as on the field I probably will feel a little like a rookie still. The season was shortened for me so I didn’t get that kind of experience. You get accustomed a little bit to the games. But I got all of the off the field stuff taken care of so I can concentrate on football. As far as everything on the outside I am comfortable,”

While he was sidelined last season Mendenhall kept an eye on running backs Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore. He watched how they approached things, their moves on the field and what made them such a strong duo for the running game.

“I tried to pick up as much as I could from them,” said Mendenhall. “I watched film and got into the playbook, trying to pick up the game as much as I could, getting as many mental reps as I could.”

It wasn’t an easy road though. Mendenhall had high hopes for his rookie season and never envisioned spending the season on the sidelines.

“It’s tough and frustrating,” said Mendenhall. “Being a competitor you want to be with your teammates. You want to go out and compete. Being sidelined is a hard pill to swallow. It’s over now. I am relieved. I am at the same level as all of my teammates looking forward to the next time I put a helmet on.

“I just want to have success this season. Whatever my role is, I don’t know, but I just want to be successful in what they ask me to do.”

~ Can't wait to see what this kid can do...hopefully him and Willie will be the one two punch that Tomlin invisioned.

"He's running around there, running his mouth, doing all that, but if you watch him on film and really look, where was Ray Lewis? He was nowhere to be found. I could have tackled the water boy and had as many tackles as him. He didn't do nothing today. He's all mouth. When you talk like that, that's what happens: You get hit in the mouth. He's over there crying now, thinking about what went wrong. You got your *** whipped, that's what." ~ Peazy

I think his shoulder injury happened for a reason, I don't think he was really ready. Nice thing is he got a good year to watch FWP and see how the NFL works....i'm sure he's going to be a real asset this year! I'm excited to see what he can do this year. Seems very determined!!

Ya it happened because he spoke to soon, said he was going to run all over the ravens dee on his first start as a rookie without proving anything. I hope this guy learned his lesson and comes back swinging.

Ya it happened because he spoke to soon, said he was going to run all over the ravens dee on his first start as a rookie without proving anything. I hope this guy learned his lesson and comes back swinging.

He wasn't ready is the reason he got hurt right away...He playing like a college player, he's bound to get hurt...this was good for him. He's ready now!

Ya it happened because he spoke to soon, said he was going to run all over the ravens dee on his first start as a rookie without proving anything. I hope this guy learned his lesson and comes back swinging.

yeah...thats why it happened

do you believe in wizards and fairies and leprechauns too? he didnt get hurt cause he sent a text message to his good friend ray rice, he got hurt cause he got jacked the **** up

im sure he will run alot more comfortably next season, hopefully he wont have to think so much

Rookies for the Steelers barely get to start let alone see any kind of game time. I'm just glad the injury happened while we were somewhat healthy at RB. Rashard should be 100% by the time the 2009 season starts, lets hope he sees more playing time and gets into NFL football shape.

If you don’t stand behind our troops.....Please feel free to stand in front of them!!!

"Give me a 6 pack, half hour of rest and lets go play them again....We can beat them."
--Jack Lambert

"They say that when you're the champs, everybody will try to beat you. Well, I'm glad we're the champs, so bring 'em on, bring 'em all on. If we die, we ain't gonna die running. It's gonna be a fight."
--Joe Greene

do you believe in wizards and fairies and leprechauns too? he didnt get hurt cause he sent a text message to his good friend ray rice, he got hurt cause he got jacked the **** up

im sure he will run alot more comfortably next season, hopefully he wont have to think so much

well he got jacked the **** up because of what he said in that text message. ray rice showed that text message to ray lewis who ended up being the guy who put him out of commission. you make the connection. lewis was out to light his *** up after he saw it. had he of kept his mouth shut i bet you he has a longer season.

well he got jacked the **** up because of what he said in that text message. ray rice showed that text message to ray lewis who ended up being the guy who put him out of commission. you make the connection. lewis was out to light his *** up after he saw it. had he of kept his mouth shut i bet you he has a longer season.

i assure you no one got hurt via text message, ray lewis tries to hurt everyone